OML UPDATE AT-A-GLANCE
 
Here are the top things you need to know from this past week:
 
  • ·        Representative Scott Wiggam (R- Wooster) chair of the Ohio House State & Local Government Committee has announced that his committee will be holding a third hearing, opponent only testimony for HB 563, legislation introduced by Reps. Sarah Fowler Arthur (R- Geneva-on-the-Lake) and Ron Ferguson (R- Wintersville) preempting Ohio’s municipalities from regulating short term rental properties such as AirBNB operations in residential neighborhoods. As written, the language would prevent enforcement of current and existing ordinances and any future regulatory attempts on this type of business activity. The third hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22nd at 10a.m. in Statehouse Hearing Room #114. The League strongly encourages communities concerned about this continued assault of Ohio’s Home Rule authorities to provide opponent testimony and to contact their own members of the Ohio General Assembly.

  • ·        On Monday, Governor Mike DeWine signed SB 215, legislation which eliminates training and licensing requirements in order to receive a concealed carry permit and removes the current requirement that those who are in possession of a concealed weapon to inform law enforcement officers that they possess a firearm during an interaction. The bill will become effective in 90 days, upon the date of the Governor’s signature.
 
  • ·        This Wednesday, March 23 at noon, Governor DeWine will the deliver his State of the State Address in the Ohio House Chambers. This will be the Governor’s first such address since 2019. The Governor’s speech can be viewed on the Ohio Channel at www.ohiochannel.org.

  • ·        The Ohio Supreme Court has once again rejected a third attempt by majority members of Ohio’s Redistricting Commission at drawing new state legislative districts. It is anticipated that this action will likely delay the May 3 primary election for Ohio’s state legislative races. The Court ordered the Ohio Redistricting Commission to reconvene and create a new map by March 28.

  • ·        On Monday, March 21 at 3p.m., the US Treasury is hosting a free webinar for NEUs who received an ARPA distribution. The topics will cover ARPA reporting and compliance issues as well as address policy issues related to the expenditures and reporting requirements including an explanation of how to target local assistance to impacted and disproportionately impacted populations. Learn more and register HERE.

  • OML’s final 2022 Municipal Officials Training Seminar will be held next Saturday, March 26th at the Embassy Suites in Independence. The League appreciates the tremendous participation and response from our attendees who attended the previous training opportunities held earlier this month. The seminar provides our municipal officials with important information they need to better understand the workings of municipal government and enabling them to better lead their communities. Click HERE to view the seminar agenda and for registration information. Please read the article below for more information.

  • ·        Cybersecurity Seminar: On March 31 from 9 a.m., the Ohio Innovation and Technology Association (OITA) is holding the 2022 Cybersecurity Summit to discuss cybersecurity challenges and goals with state leaders including Lt. Governor Husted, Secretary of State LaRose, Attorney General Yost. The event is free to attend, and you can find the event flyer HERE for more information and registration. Click HERE for the full event agenda.

  • ·        The Municipal Finance Officers Association of Ohio (MFOA) is excited to announce that it will be holding its 2022 Annual Conference in-person Wednesday, May 18 through Friday, May 20. The event will be held at the Marriott Columbus Northwest located at 5605 Blazer Parkway in Dublin, Ohio. As always CPE, CPIM and FIA credit will be offered for participants. A full schedule and hotel information will be available next week.
 
 
UPCOMING MARCH AND APRIL OML/OMAA WEBINARS

On Thursday, March 24 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., the League and the Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association (OMAA) will be hosting a webinar entitled “’How Can I Help?’ And Other Tips for Complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).” Disability discrimination claims continue to be a tricky and expensive litigated issue for many employers. This webinar will discuss disability discrimination laws to gain deeper understanding of the requirements and best practices when dealing with employee disability accommodation requests. The presentation will review what municipal employers need to know through the use of scenarios that will include a discussion on what is and is not a disability, what is a reasonable accommodation and what members must do in order to have a legally compliant interactive process in place. Learn more and register HERE.
 
On Thursday, April 14 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., the League and the OMAA are hosting a webinar entitled “Crisis Communications for Municipal Government.” Facing the news media can be nerve-racking even under the best conditions. Now imagine yourself in a crisis or emergency situation facing hostile reporters who want answers to their tough questions. What would you do? What do you say? This webinar will cover the basics of news media and the rules of engagement (what you should and shouldn't say). Get tips for composing an effective message and compiling a plan to advance that message using earned media tactics such as print, radio, TV and social media. By the end of this webinar, you’ll not only have a much better idea of what it feels like to face the media, especially in a crisis communication situation, you’ll have a summary of specific take-away points to help you face a crisis communications situation in real life.
 
Finally, on Thursday, April 28 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., the League and the OMAA are hosting a webinar entitled “Nuisance Abatement.” Ohio’s nuisance abatement law empowers municipalities to address properties with chronic code violations, as well as properties with chronic criminal activity. This webinar will provide a general overview of Ohio nuisance abatement law and a framework for its practical application in municipalities of all sizes. Learn more and register HERE.
 
  
FINAL OML MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS TRAINING SEMINAR
 
The League will be hosting our final 2022 Municipal Officials Training Seminar next Saturday, March 26th at Embassy Suites Rockside, in Independence. These seminars are designed to prepare our local leaders for the issues and responsibilities they manage as municipal officials and assist in navigating the successful management of their communities.
 
The presentations will cover topics such as what is Home Rule and what authorities are granted to municipalities through local control, new changes to city and village financing procedures, council procedures and authorities, management responsibilities related to public records and liability issues for municipalities.
 
These seminars are a great opportunity for both local leaders starting their first terms in office and current municipal leaders. To find out more information and register, click HERE.
 
 
 
COMMITTEE RECAP: BILLS OF MUNICIPAL INTEREST
 
·        HB 175 – Ephemeral Streams. Sponsored by Rep. Hillyer (R- Uhrichsville) would deregulate certain ephemeral water features under various water pollution control laws. The bill had its third hearing in Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee. Among groups who testified in this opposition hearing were the The Nature Conservancy of Ohio and the Ohio Scenic Rivers Association The League is in support of this legislation. (Link HERE)
 
 
·        HB 458– Special Elections. Sponsored by Rep. Hall (R - Middletown), would eliminate August special elections except when held to nominate or elect candidates for the United States House of Representatives. During first hearing in the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee, the Sponsor reiterated the changes made in the House Ways and Means Committee, in which amendments were adopted to allow a political subdivision to hold an August special election if going into fiscal emergency and to allow a local government to hold a special election for a charter proposal in 2022. The League is neutral on this legislation. (Link: HERE)
 
 
·        SB 260 – Political Subdivision. Sponsored by Rep. Lang (R – West Chester Twp.), would expand political subdivision joint purchasing authority to expressly include purchases for construction services. During its first hearing in the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee, sponsor and proponent testimony was offered. The League is in support of this legislation. (Link: HERE